World Business Quick Take

AGENCIES

■ AutomobilesInfiniti unveiled in China

Nissan Motor yesterday unveiled its Infiniti luxury brand in China ahead of its official launch next year. Two models will be sold initially, a sedan and a sports utility vehicle, Nissan said, without providing sales forecasts. The cars will be made in Japan, it added. "The overall [China] market is becoming more mature and diversified and the luxury segment is no exception," Yukihisa Kayashima, president of Nissan (China) Investment Co Ltd, said.

■ Stocks

Court rejects arrest request

The Seoul Central District Court yesterday refused to issue arrest warrants for two US executives of a Texas-based investment fund, telling prosecutors it needs more evidence of their alleged stock manipulation. The court refused to allow prosecutors to detain Lone Star vice chairman Ellis Short and general counsel Michael Thompson. It also refused to issue a warrant for Yoo Hoe-won, current head of the firm's local unit, Lone Star Advisers Korea. However, it authorized an arrest warrant for the former head of the Korean unit Steven Lee, Yonhap news agency reported.

■ Software

Microsoft, Novell team up

Longtime US computer software rivals Microsoft Corp and Novell Inc unveiled an alliance on Thursday to make their competing programs interoperable. The alliance was devoted to "building a bridge" between Microsoft's patent-protected software and Novell programs based on the free, open-source Linux operating system, the firms said. Financial terms were not disclosed. But Novell chief executive Ron Hovsepiann said Microsoft committed "a significant amount of money" to the alliance.